Retirement is it enjoyment or a curse ?

Retirement, sounds nice when we hear that word. But does it really that enjoyable ? the answer is we will only know it first hand when we come to that . Well I came to UK some 42 years ago as a young lad of 18+ barely with any experience of real life apart that of a typical young Asian teenager who was under the protection of the parents. When I left Sri Lanka my father was still in employment, retirement was a nice word for him as well.

Having completed my education found various employment in UK and finally got the one I really wanted and settled in that company. It was a large company a big if not the biggest in Europe in the number of employees it had. By the time I took my retirement I had worked approximately 27 years. I loved the company, I liked my colleagues above all I loved the job that I was doing. So then why I left the company and retired before time in cricketing terms I declared my innings before being all out. 

                                                    Well as in the modern times my company also fell victim to the notion that outsourcing is the answer to satisfy the shareholders . As a result the job that I loved which really kept me going despite me realizing how old I was , was taken away from me and got outsourced. Having been engaged in a high technical environment I was reduced to complete spread sheets a redeployment group. I must thank myself being employed in a firm among few who do not make the employees redundant forcefully. Anyhow at that point I started to contemplate about retirement and the attractive word that I liked to hear all these time now looming before me threatening to be real. Having had the benefit of the advice of  few other colleagues who chose to leave voluntarily some time ago, I also decided to take that path.

                                                  

                                                    Yes after having few lengthy discussions with my better half who also felt that the time is right for me to start walking in that direction I bravely took my EARLY RETIREMENT. How old was I ? few months after I had my 58th birthday. The big day come "Yahoo ....." finally I do not have to wake up everyday at the same time and follow the same routines. . . .  yes I can get up any time I want . . .  sleep anytime I want . . . .  my GP suggested  that I should not do 1) flop in a settee in front of the TV and become a couch potato 2) Sleep during the day time for long hours. He said " as long as keep your self busy all the time you will be OK" , well that is what I was doing when I was working ! wasn't I ? Well life is complicated there are no easy answers.

                                                      Nearly completing my third year of retirement how am I finding it ? am I enjoying it ? or do I think that it is a curse ? you are longing to know the answer I bet . To be quiet honest my answer is , in general I am enjoying it. But if I say that at times I regret it I would be lying. The first question I come across as soon as I say that I am retired is " How do you occupy your time, don't you get bored " well I am sorry to disappoint the answer is "no....no...no" .In fact it is reverse I barely find time to do the things that I want to do as there are always some urgent jobs needed doing around the house. Now that I am at home all the time the request and required list from my  wife does only increases does not seem to decrease ( is this what makes me regret I wonder . . . )

                                                        

                                                       What is so good in retirement life is that you are free to take any trips at any time. For example earlier this year we had a get together of our old college mates of the same year back from my school days and that was held in Toronto, Canada. As I am retired I did not have any issues of trying to organize my leave as this was a function that you would probably get one chance in your life time. Myself and my wife are very keen in travelling to different parts of the world and what else would give this opportunity other than the retirement life ? We are very keen gardeners and have a big garden. While I was working I will only get allotted time to do gardening and if the weather fouls the day then that work does not get done until I get another chance but now in retired life if it rains one day so what I can do it tomorrow... day after. .. .  and so on.

                                                           So I hear you asking , are you saying all is good in retirement life ? well please do not misunderstand me it is not what I am saying while we have a lot of positive things there are some drawbacks as well. While you work you get a regular sum of money that you will get each month which allows you to full fill your needs but once you retire even though you might get a regular pension your income reduces by a large sum which you should be able to compensate. In my case I was lucky my financial situation was such that I was able to withstand the reduction in my income and furthermore my wife is still employed.

                                                                 It is paramount that we should be able to divide the day into chunks in which we complete few important tasks and some tasks such as hobby that we enjoy. For me writing takes a big part of my time. I enjoy writing and as I retired while I am able to perform well physically it does make my retirement life that much enjoyable. I do lot of writing in Tamil and do some writing in my English blog. But my knowledge in Tamil is limited to my reading and listening to great scholars, writers and famous creators I have not had any formal qualification Tamil. Even though it is not a requirement to have this qualification to write as my writing is purely for my own satisfaction and not for any financial benefits. But I wanted to study Tamil in some depth and my retirement aided me in this thirst. I am glad to say that I am now in my third year of a BA Degree in Tamil Language that is conducted by correspondence from a University in Tamil Nadu. With a bit of luck I may be able to complete this BA next May and enroll myself in a MA course in Tamil. It did provide me a purpose and a direction for my retired life.

                                                                  

                                                                    Now that I have time I am able to entertain my friends who come from abroad and can spend some time with them. Which really enriches my life. To sum up  my  three years experience I summarize the retirement as " a combination of relaxation and activities not necessarily in that order but to be mixed in right quantities for each and individual". As long as we manage to tailor it to our needs I would definitely recommend retirement that is if you can financially afford it. Take each day on its own merit and enjoy everything about that day and when you go to sleep just reassess the events of that day and see how you feel . Do they give enjoyment or make you curse ?

After all we only live once why don't we live it the way we want

Sakthi Sakthithasan

Is the tide turning ?

It is true.
If anyone told me that Jermy Coburn may become our Prime Minister I would have laughed at their face six months ago. But now ! what a change pf situation. Even now it is a mountain of a task for the Labour party to pull a surprise out of the bag and win the election. But the mere discussion of Jermy Corbyn`s chances is a moral victory for him. The surprise in elections started with the referendum in 2016. Despite the general acceptance that Remain will have it its way to everybody amazement Leave got it. and then came the impossible scenario yes the victory of Donald Trump. Despite the predictions of so called pundits he was the successful winner in the American Presidential election.

So what has changed ?

It is true that the events goes around in a circle. What was the theme of a day a decade ago is no more the popular thing. What has contributed to this change ? Well the word "profit" loomed large in the eyes of big businesses , who can blame them that is why they are in the business . are they not ? The satisfaction of the so called " share holders" was the main objective of the senior management to receive maximum bonus. At this point the theory is that the ordinary jo blogs are the share holders and they are also reaping the benefit. Globalization was the vehicle that they used to achieve this. Jobs were outsourced and left the shores and a massive influx of immigrants entered the shores. Naturally the balance tilted, Even though immigration was not only the cause but took the major portion of the blame. Thanks to the contribution of the fringe parties with anti immigration propaganda. Influx of refuges from Middle East and Africa into Mainland Europe did not help the cause.

What are the consequences ?

The public opinion turned towards the politicians who were brave enough to speak the unspeakable. Yes the so called extreme nationalistic views attracted the overstretched underpaid majority of the population. Hence Brexit and Trump. The next big thing all were anxiously waiting was French Presidential election. Even though Le Pen did not win she has created a sea of turbulence within the French electorate, which will now be reflecting in the forthcoming French parliamentary elections.

Now having looked at the these backgrounds let us consider the UK elections.

Why did Mrs May called the elections ? well it is a calculated risk. In my view there were three things influenced her decision . 1) Her slender majority in the parliament and her fear of pushing through the Brexit exit plans through parliament. 2) The constant criticism from the opposition parties and some of her own party that she lacks the authority to conduct the Brexit negotiations. £) The main one is the constant results of the opinion polls showing Conservatives had a massive lead over Labour . The barrage of attack of the media on Jermy Corbyn which left constant resistance within his party on his leadership

What a surprise !

Just a week to go before the elections and Jermy Corbyn is knocking the door at No 10 ( according to some for Corbyn ? well to be quiet honest I think people are fed up of  7 years of continued austerity. It was true that During Cameron - Osborne time there was little hope as their main priority was to reduce the debt but since Theresa Mays administration took over that has lost it`s priority. People do not see the benefit of the austerity and the policies that Labour party has come up with is believe it or nor striking some accord with the public.It is also true the unassailable belief is that however weired it is Corbyn is honest and genuine. The rise of populism in the west facing in two directions one is far right and the other is far left. I believe the current trend in UK is the latter one.
opinion polls). What was the reason for this change of fortune

According to the so called political experts it is still a win for Conservatives but however they may not get the massive landslide victory they expected. We all will know on the 9th morning was that calculated risk (at that time she did not think it was a risk) Mrs may took was a wise one or is she really going to go down in history that she was the  foolish prime minister UK ever had.

Let us wait and see.

Sakthi sakthithasan